EVERY MONDAY, WE scan the passports, check the family trees and cross-reference with the “granny rule” to keep you informed about the ups and downs of all the Irish (and Irish-eligible) footballers in England and Scotland. Think of us as the Tardelli to your Trap, if you will…
FA Cup fourth round
Adam Rooney (Sheffield United 0-4 Birmingham)
Dubliner Adam Rooney had a big hand in Birmingham’s progression through to the fifth round, where Chelsea await, with his two goals at Bramall Lane on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Ireland U21 international scored either side of Wade Elliott and hopes the performance will convince manager Chris Hughton to give him a starting role more regularly.
Rooney, who left Crumlin United for Stoke City back in 2005 and joined the Blues from Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the summer, has only made the first XI on four occasions in the league this season, and finds himself behind Marlon King, Nikola Zigic and Chris Wood in the pecking order.
Keeper Colin Doyle was tested throughout the 90 minutes but he earned a well-deserved clean sheet after a couple of terrific saves from Lee Williamson and Ched Evans.
Check out Rooney’s brace:
YouTube credit: thefacup
Richard Dunne (Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa)
Villa were looking good when Darren Bent added a second after Robbie Keane had crossed for Richard Dunne to head home the opener 33 minutes at the Emirates.
The second half was a different story however, as three goals in seven minutes turned the result on its head. Stephen Ireland was again in decent form while Shay Given and Ciaran Clark also featured.
James McClean (Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough)
The calls for Giovanni Trapattoni to include Derry winger James McClean in Ireland’s upcoming friendly continue to grow loader after another mature performance was capped off with an assist at the Stadium of Light.
Catching Boro on the break, McClean slid a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Fraizer Campbell, who slotted the equaliser home.
Barry Robson’s volley had given the visitors a lead when John O’Shea failed to clear the ball out of danger with his head.
Clinton Morrison (Blackpool 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday)
Forgotten man Clinton Morrison was set for another loan move away from the Owls before Saturday, having spent a month with MK Dons earlier in the season.
While he won’t be holding his breath for a phone call from Trap, the 32-year-old does believe his strike in the 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Road can resurrect his career under Gary Megson.
Watch that goal here:
YouTube credit: thefacup
